Mining machine



C. G. BOUDETTE MINING MACHINE July 1 1930.

Filed Sept. 16, 1924 Patented `lulyr 1, 193() UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORNELIUS G. BOUDETTE, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR T0 SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, -A CORPORATION 0F lVIASSACI-IIISEWJI'Sk MINING MACHINE Application led September 16, 1924. Serial No. 738,006.

My invention relates to mining machines. An object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another 0bject of my invention is to provide improved bar swinging mechanism for a mining machine. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved mining machineA of the longwall type including improved means for swinging the cutter bar. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved flexibly fed mining machine of the longwall type having improved means cooperating with the flexible feeding element for swinging the cutter bar. Yet another object is to provide in a mining machine of the aforesaid type improved force multiplying mechanism between the pivoted cutter bar and the flexible feeding element whereby the tractive force of the latter is more than doubled, thereby producing an exceedingly powerful har swing. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear in the following description and appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mining machine of the flexibly fed type in which my improved bar swinging mechanism is incorporated, the cutter bar being indicated as disposed in a plurality of positions.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In this illustrative form of my invention I have shown a mining machine generally designated 1 which is herein of the longwall type and comprising a frame 2 provided with a plane bottom surface 3 on which the machine is slidable during its different operations. The machine is adapted to move relative to a exible feeding member 4, herein in the form of a chain, which cooperates with a feed operating member 5, suitably journaled on the machine frame and driven from the driving motor (not shown) in a well known manner. A cutter bar 6 provided with an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 7 is pivoted as at 8 on a vertical axis and adapted to be swung about its axis in an improved manner.

In my improved construction, the frame 2 is provided with a generally circular flange 9 having gear teeth 10 formed thereon with which a pinion 11 meshes. The pinion 11 is formed upon a shaft 12 rotatably mounted within a bore 18 formed within an upstanding boss 14 formed on the cutter bar 6. 'Ihe boss 14 has an inwardly extending portion 14 overhanging the flange 9` formed on the frame to guide the bar during its swinging movement. The upper end of the shaft 12 is provided with a sprocket 15 suitably rigidly secured thereto with which the flexible feeding member 4 is adapted to cooperate. It will be observed from Fig. 8 of the drawings that the pitch circle of the sprocket 15 is of a greater diameter than the pitch circle of the spur pinion 11, although it is obvious that the relative size of the sprocket and pinion may be varied as desired. It is evident, however, the greater the diameter of sprocket 15 the more powerful bar swinging force is obtained.

In the operation of my improved bar swinging mechanism it will be observed that the feed chain 4 is extended, from the feed operating member 5 transversely and longitudinally along the side of the machine frame 2 and is threaded or reeved about the sprocket 15 in a manner similar to that shown by the central dotted line position in Fig. 1. The feed operating member is then suitably connected to the motor in the usual manner and the feed chain drawn in, consequently causing the sprocket 15 and the pinion 11 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the stationary gear segment 10, causing the bar to be swung about its pivot to a position at right angles to the major axis-of the frame 2 as indicated by full lines in Fig. 1. It will herein be noted that if it is desired to swing the bar in an opposite direct-ion, the feed chain 4 is reversely reeved relative to the sprocket 15 and the feed chain 4 extended from the feed operating member 5 transversely in an opposite direction and longitudinally along the opposite side of the and expense. It is also evident that by rea.- son of the fact that the tractive pull of thek flexible feedin element 4 on the cutter bar is at a point o set a substantial distance from the bar pivot, and by reason of the turning action of the spur pinion 11 on the relatively stationary gear segment 10 yeffected by the feeding element, Seven if the ypitch circle ofk the sprocket 15 and pinion 11 were the same, the tractive effort of the feeding element would be doubled due to the substantialk leverage obtained and the double pulley effeet, resulting in an exceedingly powerful bar swing.k It will further be observed, in view of the ater size ofthe sprocket l5 than the pinion 11 that the mechanism disclosed constitutes means for increasing the mechanical advantage and that a more powerful bar swing is obtained.

While I have in this application specifically described one form whichk my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, in a mining apparatus, feeding means and adjustable cutting mechanism, and means for transmitting a moving force to said cutting mechanism including ay flexible tension connection between said feeding means and said adjustable cutting mechanism, and a force multiplying mechanism arranged between said feeding means and said cutting mechanism for transmitting to said cutting mechanism, to adjust the latter, a force greater than that transmitted to said flexible tension connection, the element of said force multiplying mechanism engaged by said tension connection being carried on and movable with said yadjustable cutting mechanism.

2. In combination, in a mining apparatus, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means to place the latter under tension, a pivoted cutter bar, and means for transmitting bar swinging force from said member to said bar including a flexible tension connection between said feed operating member and said cutter bar, and a force multiplying mechanism arranged between said flexible connection and said bar for transmitting to said bar, to swing the latter, a force greater than that transmitted to said fiexible connection.r the element of said force multiplying mechanisin engaged by said flexible tension connection being carried on and swingable with said cutter bar at a point odset from the bar pivot. n

3. In combination with a mining machine including flexible feeding means and adjustable cutting mechanism, means for effecting adjustment of said cutting mechanism including mechanism between said flexible feeding means and said cutting mechanism for increasing mechanical advantage operable by said rflexible feeding means and including a power transmitting element carried on and movable relative to 'said adjustable cutting mechanism and directly engaged by said flexible feeding means.

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4. In combinationwith a mining machine including fiexible feeding means and a swingable cutter bar, means for swinging said ycutter bar including mechanism between said flexible feeding means and said cutter n bar for increasing mechanical advantage operable by said flexible feeding means and including a rotatable power transmittingelement carried on said cutter bar at a point offset from the bar pivot and rotatable relative tosaid cutter bar and directly engageable by said flexible feeding means.

5. The combination with ak mining machine including a frame, feeding means including a final feeding element on the machine, and a swingable cutter bar, of means for swinging said cutter bar relative to said frame includin an abutment gear element secured to said rame and arranged coaxiallyI with the bar pivot, and a cooperating rotatable gear element meshing with said abutment gear element and carried by said cutter bar at a point odset from the bar ivot and swingable with the cutter bar, the al feeding element of said feeding means cooperating with said rotatable `gear-element to effect rotation thereof.

6. The combination with a mining machine including a frame, feeding means including a final feeding element on the ma chine, and a pivoted cutter bar, of means for swinging said cutter bar relative to said ico ilO

frame including cooperating stationary andaeo chine having a frame, feeding means including a feed chain, and a pivoted cutter bar, of means for swinging said cutter bar relative to said frame including a shaft carried on said bar at a point offset from the bar pivot, a pinion and a sprocket carried by said shaft, and a reaction gear with which said pinion meshes, said feed chain cooperatin With said sprocket to effect rotation thereo 8. The combination with a mining ma- Chine having a frame, feeding means including a feed chain, and a pivoted cutter bar, of means for swinging said cutter bar relative to said frame including a shaft rotatably supported by said bar at a point offset from the bar pivot, a pinion and a sprocket carried by said shaft, and a stationary gear element arranged coaxially with the bar pivot and secured to said frame and With which said pinion meshes, said feed chain cooperating With said sprocket to effect rotation thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CORNELIUS G. BOUDETTE. 

